Pattern mechanism for looms



April 6, 1943- J. 0. LEE ETAL ,31 3

PATTERN MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Sept. 16, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet-l t &

' 3maentorsf e JOHN 0. LEE

I JLLEN C. CFIMPFIELD attornegs April 6, 1943. J. 0. LEE ETAL PATTERN MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Sept. 16, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 V \mmm D a m H P 3E0: .H n NE WM J0 a .(Ittornegs Patented Apr. 6, 1943 UNITED PATTERN MECHANISM FOR LOOMS John 0. Lee and Allen Campfield, Swannanoa, N. 0.

Application September 16,1941, Serial No. 411,052

' ingmechanism which is especially designed to 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a pattern mechanism for Jacquard looms and more especially to one equipped with a stationary perforated member over which punched pattern cards are adapted to pass during weaving operations. In conventional weaving, some of the heddles and associated warp ends in most Jacquard looms are controlled by a chain of punched pattern cards. The chain is successively advanced by means of a rotating cylinder, a distance of one card in a step-by-step manner, past the ends of conventional feeler wires. After a card is advanced to the proper position, the card and cylinder are then moved toward the end of the feeler wires. The wires which penetrate perforations in the card will not be disturbed and consequently the associated heddles and warp ends will be raised by a conventional mechanism to occupy an elevated position in the shed. On the other hand, if there is no perforation in the card opposite awire, this particular wire will be moved inwardly when contacted by the card to render the raising means for the associated heddle ineffective and to thereby leave the heddle and associated warp end in a lowered position. The numher and relative positions of the perforations in each card determine th particular heddles which will be raised.

Where a rotating perforated cylinder is used for advancing the chain and also for supporting the same during its movement toward the feeler wires, much difficulty is encountered in making the card and cylinder stop at the proper location so that the feelers will penetrate the perforations. If the perforations in the cylinder are not properly alined with the feelers, damage is likely to occur in both the cylinder and the chain. Also since it is very essential that the chain be advanced exactly the right amount, a positive advancing means is usually employed. One conventional positive means commonly used comprises spaced projections or teeth on the periphcry of a cylinder which teeth successively penetrate holes in the chain links as the cylinder intermittently rotates. While this advancing means is positive and accurate in most instances,

will be torn or enlarged and consequently the accuracy of the chain will b impaired.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a pattern chain advancing and support- 0. in the pattern cards used for advancing the same I overcome the above-named difficulties. The invention comprises, in part, a, stationary perforated member for supporting punched cards in a stationary position While a selection of the heddles is being made, in combination with a rotary disk at each end of the perforated member for intermittently advancing the chain links over this member. The disks have retractible plungers or pins in the peripheries thereof which engage holes in the card links of the pattern chain so that th chain may be positively advanced. In order to facilitate the easy release of the links from the disks and the pins, a means for retracting the pins as each link moves in contact with the stationary member is provided. The retraction of the pins at this point, together with the arcuate travel of the disks serves to shed the links or pattern cards as they begin to move off the-stationary member.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a Jacquard loom head showing the present invention associated therewith;

Figure 2 is an isometric detail view showing a pattern card in position for operating the-feeler wires and associated hooks of the jacquard head to cause warp ends to be raised or lowered during a weaving operation; a

Figure 3 is a plan View taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 1, but showing a link of the pattern chain in section;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line l4 in Figure'3;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 55 in Figures 3 and 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged. vertical sectional view taken along the line 6.6 in Figures 3 and 4, showing the pattern chain in position;

Figure 7 is. an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 1-1 in Figures 3 and 4, but also showing the. pattern chain in position;

Figure 8 is anexploded isometric view, of the patterncard support and one of the wheels for advancing the pattern.

Jacquard head construction Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral .Hl denotes suitable supports or joists which are'preferably disposed abov a loom,not shown, said supports having mounted in opposed sides thereof as at 12, vertically dis posed shafts l3, the upper ends of which have secured thereto as at IS a movable head I 6. This movable head carries conventional jacquard blades each blade having an upper horizontal edge I 8 for engaging the hooked portions l9 of heddle supports 20 (Figure 1). Also each blade I! has a lower horizontal edge 2| for engaging these sam hooks and lifting them to a different elevation (Figure 2). have associated with the lower ends thereof conventional heddles not shown, and these heddles support warp ends during weaving operations,

The movable head l6 and the associated jacquard blades I! are raised and lowered by means of a suitable link 25 which has its upper end secured as at l to the head and its lower end The members 20' the path of the upwardly travelling edges l8 and 2|.

The above described mechanism is conventional in Jacquard looms, but it is thought to be necessary to describe this much of the old structure in order to more clearly disclose the utility and manner of operation of the present invention.

Pattern chain support and advancing mechanism The head I I has a pair of alined bearings 40 on each side thereof in which rods or shafts 4| are slidably mounted. Each of the rods 4| has a secured as at 26 to a conventional rocker arm 21.

This rocker arm is pivoted intermediate the ends as at 28 to a bracket 29, said bracket 29' being supported by any suitable means such asjoists 0-. It is therefore seen. that when the loom isinoperation, the movable head l6 and associated blades H are reciprocated up and down, to raise and lower the heddle supporting wires 2|].

In the drawings, all of the hook portions |9 ofheddle supports are shown engaging one of the edges I8 or 2|. When in this position, the wires will be raised and lowered each time the movable head is raised and lowered. In conventional weaving however, means are provided for selectively positioning. the hooks I9 out of the path of the edges I8 and 2| at the desired time to cause certain. of these heddle supports to remain in lowered position while other heddle supports are raised. Thlspositioning means will be described inthe following: paragraph.

Each of the vertically disposed heddle supporting wires 2'0 is partially encircled by a loop portion 30 in a horizontally disposed feeler wire 3|. Theleft-hand end of each feeler wireiFigures 1 and 2) is slidably mounted in cross' channel member Ha of the frame H and the projecting portion-of wire 3| beyond the web of member Theright hand end of each of the feeler members 7 3| is slidably mounted in a cross bar I lb so'that the right hand ends thereof normally project a substantial distance therebeyond as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Each time the movable head l6 and blades I! are raised and lowered, a suitable pattern card or chain link such as designated by the reference character 35 will be moved'into engagement with the right hand. ends of the feelers 3|. This link has feeler perforations therein slightly larger than the diameter of a feeler wire 3|. When the card is moved toward the ends of the feelers 3|, these feelers will either penetrate the perforations 36 or be engaged by the card. In other words, if there is a perforation opposite the right hand end of a feeler 3|', then the feeler will penetrate the hole and not. be disturbed and consequently the hook portion l9 on the upper end of heddle supporting wire 20 will remain in a position to be engaged by one of the edges l8 or 2| when the head l6 moves upwardly. On the other hand if there should not'be a perforation opposite a particular feeler 3|, then the feeler wire 3| will be moved to the left by the card in Figures 1 and 2 to thereby deflect the'hook portion" IS on the upper end of heddle'supporting wire 20 out of vertically disposed bracket secured to the intermediate portion thereof, said bracket having an angularly disposed slot 43 therein in which a roller 44 is adapted to slide. Ihis roller 44 is seowed to the movable head "5. The shape of the slot 43 is such that when the movable head l6 moves downwardly the brackets 42 and associated shafts 4| will be moved to the left in Figures l and 3 and of course as the head l6 moves upwardly, the member 4| and 42 will move to the right. The right hand end of each shaft 4| has a bracket 39 secured thereon which in turn has the lower end thereof penetrated by transverse rods 45 and 46 said rods serving as spacers to hold the brackets in alined separated positions and also to perform other functions which will hereinafter be described.

Each bracket 39 had adjustably secured thereto bearing 48 by means of a bolt 49, said bolt penetrating a slot 39a in bracket 39 (Figure 4). Bearings 45 are provided with outstanding legs 48a in which bolts 50 are threadedly secured, said bolts having the lower ends thereof rotatably mounted in outstanding lugs 5| extending from brackets 39. By the manipulation of the bolts 49 and 50, the elevation of the bearings 48 maybe varied. v

The upper end of each bearing 48 has adjustably secured therein a short shaft 53 by any suitable means such as set screw 54, said shafts being alined with each other.

The proximate ends of the alined shafts 53 have cavities 55' therein (Figure 4) for the reception of restricted portions 56 on the ends of a shaft 51. These restricted portions 55 are rotatably mounted in the cavities 55. The intermediate enlarged portion 51 is employed for supporting the pattern chain advancing mechanism such as members and also for supporting an intermediate stationary member 60.

The member 69 has a vertically disposed flattened surface 6| disposed adjacent the ends of the feelers 3| and at substantially right angles thereto. An alined bore 62 is provided in this flattened surface opposite each of the feelers so that the feelers may penetrate member 60 during operation when the pattern link 35 does not present any obstruction. This link or card 35 of the pattern chain is held in a stationary position, in face-to-face contact with surface 6| in the manner shown in Figures 3, 6 and 7 when the pattern card and member 60 are bodily moved into engagement with the feelers 3|.

The intermediate portion 63 of stationary member 69 is cut away to lessen the weight of the same, but the ends of members 60 are provided with substantially circular portions 64. In other words, the portions 64- are circular except that the flat portion 9|, where the member 60 is fiattened to the same level for its entire length. The purpose of the rounded portions 54 is to support the ends of each pattern link or card-35 asit approaches and leaves the stationary meme berBO. TV ,In. order to hold the member 60 in a stationary position while the shaft 51 rotates, suitable arcuate members 61 (Figure 6) are secured to the lower portion of each .of the rounded portions 65 by any suitable means such as screws 68. Extending downwardly from arcuate portions 61 is a shaft 69, the lower end of which is adjustably mounted in a bracket Ill. which bracket extends upwardly from transversely disposed shaft 45. A set screw ll penetrates the shaft l6 and engages the lower portion of shaft 69 to hold it in adjusted position.

A plurality of the pattern cards or links 35 are secured together by means of strings or cords E to form a pattern chain 16. By observing Figure 2, it is seen thatreach string'lfii'p'asses from the outside face of a' 1inko35 through the link. and then along the inside of the linkfor a substantial distance, after which it passes again to the outside of the link. The adjacent link is tied to the link described in an identical manner, and when the chain is finished, the ends of each string are tied together to form an endless pattern chain. Usually three or more of the strings F5 are interwoven with the links in a manner just described in order to provide a stable chain. Each of the links is provided with an enlarged hole Tl near each end thereof, said holes being adapted to have the outer ends of suitable radially disposed pins or plungers l3 penetrate the same to advance the chain links step-by-step over the flattened surface 5 Each of the plungers i8 is provided with an enlarged collar 19 for supporting the inside face of the link 35. These plungers are radially disposed with respect to shaft 5- and also slidably mounted in members 88.

By observing Figure 6 it will be seen that the outer surface of the collar 79 is held substantially the same distance from shaft 51 as the periphery of portions 64, for the greater portion of its travel about the shaft. Of course the plungers '18 are mounted in separate end mem- L S i .7 suitable means such as set screws 91.

; Each ofthemembers 89 is provided with cireular cavity Ed in .the endwthereof, said cavity having'a plurality of radiallydisposed bores 82 t mmunica ina h rew h fQR'ihfi rec p i n f e int e ate. po tion-1 oi; plun ers .18} The oute r rt q s, of :eae p ;the bo es. 52.; hav an enlarged'b-ore 83 communicating;therewith said cavities orbores 33 being providedzfon then-re cep cn V of o la s 19; when the plungers ;are;-re-. tracted inwardly. Also the circular cavity, 8 I; in th en s of membe s ealms; communicatin therewith a; concentric bOIBj,85-;3Whl0hg1'806iVBS the 'enlarged, portion 75?. Especial attentionls called to the shape of themember Bflat thepoint where the radially disposed,g,bores =82 and-.183 pentrate the same; It-jis seenby,referring-to F e -'1 a d. 8V that the mem er this-hex.- agonal inshape andithe outerextremities ofthis hexagonal figure are-dispQsedin agcircle' whose diameter is substantiallypf the: same diameter as, that ofthe adjacent; circular. end portion 64-. The-diameter of the hexagonal-member. 8l at the points where the holes 82 and-Bs'penetrate the same is, ;considerahly, less than the diameterpof rounded'portions, 8.4.. However, ,when. thezmemhers areplacedin faceeto -faceocontactwith thegend of the rounded portions 64, one hexagonal side of each member formsacontinuation of the flat surface 61 against which'the card or link 35 is adapted to rest during a selection of the heddle supporting wires. Since the plungers l8 and holes 83 are disposed about midway between the extremities of each of the sides of the hexagonal member, it is evident that the plungers must beprojected outwardly a substantial distance from the flat surface so that the outer faces of the collars 19 will be at the same distance from the shaft 51 as the periphery of the circular end portion 66 as shown in Figure 6.

In order to hold the plungers in the projected position as shown in Figure 6, a suitable stationary cam 86 has been provided at each end of the member 60 and around shaft 51. A bore 8'! is provided in this cam Which hole extends longitudinally-through the rounded portions fid for the reception of shaft 5?. Cam B5 is adapted to support the inner ends of radially disposed plung ers 18. The shape of this cam is such that these plungers will be held in projected positions for approximately three quarters of the travel around the cam periphery. A low place 88a is provided in cam 86 which low place permits a plunger is to retract inwardly when a link of the chain moves into 'face-to-face contact with flat surface 6|. This retraction of the plungers allows the link 35 to move inwardly toward shaft 51 and to travel for a short distance along a path disposed Within the circumference previously travelled by the link. The plungers remain retracted while the card moves off the flat surface 5i, and again onto the periphery of rounded portions 64. As the card rides onto the rounded portions, it is abruptly released from the retracted plungers thereby preventing damage to the card, as it is shed from the rotating members 80. Suitable springs 90 are provided around the plungers l8 and are disposed within the circular cavity 8i. One end of the spring is disposed against the in ner periphery or the cavity 8i and the other end is disposed around a suitable collar 9! on the end of the plunger. As the chain is advanced step-by-step, it is held in removed position relative to the periphery of hexagonal rotating members 80 at all times, except when a link or card moves over the flat portion 6! where the card is contacted by the ends of the feeler wires. At this flat portion the plunger is retracted inwardly, due to the shape of the cam 86 and therefore a card is positioned in face-to-face contact with the stationary member. When the plungers are retracted inwardly the collar 79 on each plunger is adapted to move into the enlarged circular cavity 83 which is disposed in each of the sides of the hexagonal members Bil. When the collar and plungers are retracted inwardly the outer face of the-collar will be flush with the face of the l1exago'n'almember. l I

[In-order to' insurethat the'card will rest firmly against the-'flat face iii during the time when the feelers contact the"card, and'endless groove is disposed in th'eperiphery ofeach of'the hexagonal. member 8%.I4This groove receives-the projectingiiportions. of a string"? E' izvhich are disposed on the; inside faces ofth'e cards or links thereby preventing .the'string 'from holding the card in spaced 'relati'onzto the flat stationary face zfi l during L3,. feeling. operation: similar groove. :96 :is disposedzinithe central. portion 'Ofr-ilhB member-'69 .(Figure .3). for the reception of a string liwhich ties theintermediateportionofsthecards :orzlinks 3 5; togethen; As heretofore stated, when: a; link 35 is moved off the flat surface BI, it again rises upon rounded portion Ii-I. This rounded portion serves as a cam means which cooperates with the rotating end members 80 for removing the cards from the retracted plungers.

Integral with the member 80 and disposed. on the outer portion thereof is a round hu-o portion 98, said hub having a hexagonal portion 98a on its outer end. Each face of hexagonal portion 98a has a cavity 90 therein which extends inwardly into the round portion. These cavities are engaged at times, by a dog I00, said dog being adjustably secured on an arm IOI by any suitable means such as a set screw I02. One end of arm IOI is pivotally secured as at I02 to the head II.

Method of operation During the weaving of cloth, the movable head l6 and the jacquard blades I7 reciprocate up and down in a manner perviously described. Due to the fact that rollers 44 are disposed in slots 43 (Figure 1), the rods 4! and associated pattern supporting and advancing mechanism are moved back and forth relative to the right hand ends of feeler wires 3| (Figures 1 and 3). Each time the rods 4| and the pattern supporting and advancing mechanism move outwardly, that is away from the right hand ends of the feeler Wires 3!, in Figure 1, the dogs I engage notches 99 in the (periphery of portions 00 and thereby advance the pattern chain one sixth of a revolution by rotating members 80 and shaft 51 one step. This one sixth of a revolution is sufficient to remove a card 35 from the fiat face SI of station ary member 60 and to position the next succeeding card in the position previously occupied by the removed card. Of course, as a card is moved upon the fiat face SI, the associated plungers It which penetrate the holes TI in the ends of the card to hold it in position will retract inwardly to permit the card to move in face to face contact with the surface 6!. At this time the positioned card 35 together with the entire pattern chain supporting mechanism will be bodily advanced toward the ends of feeler wires 3| for a heddle selection. The plungers 18 will remain in retracted position until after the card 35 has again advanced and the ends of the card have moved onto the rounded peripheries of the rounded portions 64. These rounded portions are farther removed from shaft at the points where the plungers are retracted than the outer face of the collar 19 is removed; consequently the rounded portions will serve to suddenly remove the card from the plunger immediately upon starting the chain again.

In order to hold the advancing members 80 and the pattern chain 16 in the proper position after it has been advanced, a suitable V-shaped member I05 (Figures 4 and 5) is resiliently pressed against the periphery of each hexagonal portion 08a. This member I05 has a downwardly extending rod I06 integral therewith, which is slidably mounted in lug I01 extending inwardly from bracket 39. A smaller rod I08 extends downwardly from the lower end of rod I05 and the lower end of this rod is slidably mounted in another lug which also extends inwardly from bracket 39. Disposed around the rod I08 is a compression spring IIO which presses upwardly against the lower portion of rod I06 and thereby forces the V-shaped member I01 against the periphery of the hexagonal portion 98a. When the dog I02 advances the members 80 and the pattern chain one sixth of a revolution, the member I05-.is forced downwardly during this rotative moment, but when the members have been advanced the proper amount, the spring I08 will again move the V-shaped member I05 upwardly to it proper position where it will yieldingly hold the members 80 and chain 16 in stationary position on member 60 while the pattern chain and associated mechanism is moved bodily inwardly toward the feeders.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a pattern means for a Jacquard loom having a plurality of pattern cards secured to each other, reading fingers for reading the pattern cards to control the loom, an elongated member having rounded ends and a plane surface along one of its sides and provided with perforations therein in alinement with said reading fingers, rotary means disposed at each end of the plane surface for moving the cards one at a time into parallel relation on to said plane surface, each of said cards having a hole in each end thereof, radially movable plungers in each of said rotary members, spring means normally urging the plungers outwardly, each of said plungers having collars thereon for holding the cards away from the rotary means, means for moving the plungers radially outwardly to penetrate said holes to advance the cards one at a time to a position which is parallel but in spaced relation to the plane surface, means for permitting said plungers to move radially inwardly to allow said advanced card to move against said plane surface, and means for moving said member having a plane surface toward said fingers to effect the reading operation, the rounded ends on the elongated member serving as cams to move the cards off of said plungers.

2. Apparatus for advancing a chain of pattern cards to a position where they can be read one at a time by the reading fingers in a Jacquard loom comprising a non-rotatable member having a plane surface, and having end portions in the form of a segment of a circle, a rotary member disposed at each end of the plane surface and having a plurality of inwardly urged plungers therein, said plunger having collars thereon for holding the cards in spaced relation to the rotary members, said cards having a hole in each end thereof adapted to be penetrated by said plungers for moving the card to a position 00- cupying a parallel spaced relation to said plane surface, cam means for moving the plungers outwardly to engage said holes to advance the cards, said cam means having a depression therein for allowing the plungers to move radially inwardly to permit the card to rest against said plane surface, means for moving the member having the plane surface along with the card for engaging the reading fingers of the Jacquard loom, and least one of said rotary members having a portion which is polygonal in cross section and a resiliently mounted member having a V-shaped surface for engaging the polygonal surface, the end portions of the non-rotatable member serving as cam means for moving the card off its plungers when the pattern chain is advanced.

3. In a pattern means for a Jacquard loom having aplurality of pattern cardssecured to each other, reading fingers for reading the pattern cards to control the loom, a member having a plane surface provided with perforations therein in alinement with said reading fingers, rotary means disposed at each end of the plane surface for moving the cards one at a time into parallel relation to said plane surface, each of said cards having a hole in each end thereof, inwardly urged radially movable plungers in each of said rotary members, means for moving the plungers radially outwardly to engage said holes to advance the cards one at a time to a position which is parallel to but in spaced relation to the plane surface, means permitting said plungers to move radially inwardly to allow said advanced card to move against said plane surface, means for moving said member having a plane surface toward said fingers to effect the reading operation, said rotary means having a portion which is polygonal in cross section, a resiliently mounted member having a V-shaped surface for engaging the polygonal surface, said member with a plane surface having end portions whose circumference is in the form of a segment of a circle whose radius is greater than the radius of the rotary means at each end of the member having the plane surface and on which the cards rest, said plungers having collars thereon for engaging the cards and holding them in spaced relation to the rotary means until the plungers are allowed to move radially inward to position a card against said plane surface.

4. In a Jacquard loom having a plurality of reading fingers and a pattern chain having a plurality of cards pivotally secured to each other, means for supporting the pattern chain and advancing the pattern chain and moving the cards one at a time against the reading fingers comprising a frame, a shaft rigidly mounted in the frame, an elongated member disposed on said shaft and rigidly mounted in the frame, said elongated member having substantially circular end portions with a segment cut therefrom, said elongated member also having a plane surface extending from end to end and coinciding with the segments cut from the end portions, a pair of rotary members on said shaft and being disposed adjacent the ends of the elongated memher, a plurality of inwardly urged plunger in each of the rotary members, said plungers having collars near their outer ends, means for moving the plungers outwardly to penetrate the holes in the cards and to cause the collars to engage the cards and hold them in spaced relation to the rotary members, means for moving the frame towards and away from the reading fingers, the end portions of the elongated member serving as cams for moving the cards clear of the plungers as the pattern chain is advanced after a reading operation.

JOHN 0. LEE. ALLEN C. CAMPFIELD. 

